One of the greatest deterrents to living the confident and
enjoyable life is self centeredness and self absorption.
I've felt the effects on this very limited mindset and it's no
fun at all. None.
When we close down around our SELVES we weaken the power of our
personality, we become more introverted, and we reduce our
dynamism.
We become the greatest thief of our own potential.
This is an INJUSTICE that we must become aware of and stop.
"Mike, how do we do this to ourselves?"
Great question amigo.
I don't have all the answers, far from it, though let me share
with you this one thing.
Here's what sometimes happens.
1) Person gets beat up a bit in their past
2) Fear and the need to protect oneself and survive sets in
3) An inward self focus is developed to protect oneself
I want to share with you 2 great quotes from Dr. Normal Vincent
Peale's classic book 'Stay Alive All Your Life'.
"One way to have that quality of life (My comments, great,
joyful, and enthusiastic life) is to get outside yourself.
People who live within themselves lose that vital something
which stimulates verve and excitement. As a matter of fact, many
are actually ill as a result of nothing but self centeredness.
When you lose yourself, letting your personality flow outward,
your life takes on creative joy and even health. Half dead,
listless, desultory people everywhere could find the vital life
they really want by the very simple expedient of practicing self
forgetfulness."
Few pages later.
"Then, when your interest and appreciation are widened to
include the whole great world, life becomes even more
fascinating. Interest, projected outside yourself, has the power
to force even hardship, suffering, and pain into the background.
The more vital your interest, in others and in the world, the
more certainly you can live triumphantly over your own
difficulties.
Here's one more.
"In exact proportion as you give joy you will receive joy. It is
a law of exact reciprocity. Joy increases as you give it, and
diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself. Actually, unless
you give it you will ultimately lose it. In giving it you will
accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible."
Powerful.
Lose yourself to find yourself.
Be someone for somebody.
When we're preoccupied with SELF, fear, doubt, and worry usually
aren't far behind it.
Suggestion, read Dr. Peale's powerful words more than once.
Release the power in your personality.
Find greater meaning in your life.
My friend, YOU, YOU, are ready to live the masterful and
confident life.
Add 1% more of the best -you- into your life today. Just 1%.
Love Ya! You're The Best!
Your Coach,
Michael







Mike,
Thanks for the reminder. Looking outside yourself can often be therapeutic. I am dealing with a relative who has a challenge and it is easy to become self-absorbed, but I know that there are many people who are confronted with really devastating challenges and think they have no way out. One way is giving to others. Even what might seem insignificant to us, can be life-changing for others.
Blessings
Thank you Mike for this great writing, I loved it.
Owen
Great reminder, yes, giving to others is giving to yourself twice as much.
Beka
I totally agree. It's like the concept of adding value. It all comes back....
Thank you Mike. I agree and have a great week!
Thanks mike, how true your words are today. I've experienced it first hand that life is like a mirror. You get a reflection of your image; what you give, you receive especially joy. I've tried smiling technique and hey it softens even the hardest of hearts and situations.
Last weekend I went to the open market where traders of two warring tribes displayed their wares. They were gloomy but I smiled and joked with both sides and suddenly everyone was smiling back. I got a hundredfold of the tiny joy I shared then!
Thanks coach.
Eunice, Msa, Kenya
Thanks Mike, Great words - keeps me thinking.
If I have understood what you mean by self-absorbtion I think that there can be a very fine line between pusuing one's goals in a focussed way and becoming too self- centered. I have believed for a long time that it is healthy [and vital] to think of oneself at times but it has done me good to read what you have written today. It will help me in building a better relationship with my daughter - thank you Mike
cheers!
Carole
Thank you. It is absoultely true.
Thanks for that pick me up this morning. Just awesome!!!
Thanks Mike. Powerful words!
You are the SOURCE to your RESOURCES!! I presonally appreciate you for all you do! Thanks
Thanks Mike,
That is really true what you said about what you do for others will come back to you. I try very hard to be kind to other and listen to others when they have a problem or just want to talk about something.
Thank for your teaching, it's wonderful.
Shirley Ainsworth
Greetings and Blessings,
You have been my coach for years. This article placed a mirror in front of me. It's not about me, it's about us. We live better by working together. Each of us have so much inside of ourselve to share. Your coaching, Mike, throughout the year has privately kept me afloat. I'm coming out. It's the only way to ensure others like myself the opportunity to break through the self-impossed barriers we hold on to for comfort. Truly, it feels like I've grown wings.
OneLove,
Ras'Mel - GuidingLight JoyfulSeeker
Greetings and Blessings,
You have been my coach for years. This article placed a mirror in front of me. It's not about me, it's about us. We live better by working together. Each of us have so much inside of ourselve to share. Your coaching, Mike, throughout the year has privately kept me afloat. I'm coming out. It's the only way to ensure others like myself the opportunity to break through the self-impossed barriers we hold on to for comfort. Truly, it feels like I've grown wings.
OneLove,
Ras'Mel - GuidingLight JoyfulSeeker
Mike,
Thanks so much. I remember you talking about locating your best self. I can now understand what it means being in your best self. When you talked about "who cares" and decided to give more of my self, amazing things began to happen. Now I have a radio program and it feels good giving out more without expecting anything back. The funny thing is that I am recieving even more that I used do. Than you Mike
Simon Bere, Zimbabwe